Difference between revisions of "Anointing" - New World Encyclopedia

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Anointing, also called Unction, is the pouring of oil on an item or body part, often the head. Sometimes animal fat or melted butter is used. The process is employed in several sacraments of the Orthodox and Catholic Christian churches and is exercised ritually by many other religions and ethnic groups.

People and objects are anointed to mark the introduction of a sacramental or divine influence, a holy emanation, spirit, or power. Anointing can also be used as a mode of ridding persons and things of dangerous spiritual influences, such as diseases and especially demons.

In Hebrew, the term of an "anointed one" is mashiach, from which the term "Messiah" is derived. The Greek translation of this word gives us the English term "Christ." Jewish, Egyptian, and other ancient kings were often anointed, and in western history, anointing has been used as part of the royal coronation ceremonies, symbolizing a divine blessing upon the monarch.

In Christian tradition, the anointing oil may be called chrism. Formerly known as Extreme Unction, the Catholic and Orthodox sacrament Anointing of the sick is not to be confused with the "last rights," which includes not only unction, but also the sacraments of Penance and Viaticum, a form of Holy Communion.

Early history

Thetis anoints Achilles with ambrosia.

The indigenous Australians believed that the virtues of a dead person could be transferred to survivors if they rubbed themselves with his or her intestinal-fat. Similarly, the Arabs of East Africa anointed themselves with lion's fat in order to gain courage.

Human fat was considered to be a powerful charm all over the world. The fat was often thought to be the vehicle and seat of life, second only to the blood. This, in addition to the "pleasing odor" produced, resulted in the fat of a sacrificial animal victim being smeared on a sacred altar to honor the deity.

According to some beliefs, the qualities of divinity can, by anointing, be transferred into men as well. In Greek mythology the sea nymph Thetis anointed her mortal child Achilles with ambrosia in order to make him immortal. (In a variant of the myth, Thetis dipped him in the waters of the River Styx but failed to dip the heel by which she held him).

Among the Jews, as among the Egyptians and other peoples, kings were anointed with olive oil in token of God's blessing upon them.

Butter is often used for anointing in the Hindu religion. A newly built house is smeared with it; so are those believed to be suffering from demonic possession, care being taken to smear the latter downwards from head to foot. Anointments are also part of certain Hindu monarchies' enthronement rituals, when blood can also be used.

Hebrew Bible

Among the Hebrews, the act of anointing was significant in consecration of a person or object to a sacred use. In the Hebrew Bible, the high priest and the king are both sometimes called "the anointed" (Leviticus 4:3-5, 4:16; 6:20; Psalm 132:10). Prophets were also sometimes anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chronicles 16:22; Psalm 105:15). Earlier, God identifies himself to Jacob by reminding him of the sacred pillar that Jacob anointed at Bethel: "I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me." (Genesis 31:13) In Exodus 40 and Leviticus 8, Moses is described as anointing the sacred altar and even the entire Tabernacle and all its furnishings and utensils with scented oil.

The anointing of the high priest conveyed a particular holiness upon him, which he must be extremely careful not to defile:

He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother, nor leave the sanctuary of his God or desecrate it, because he has been dedicated by the anointing oil of his God. (Leviticus 21: 11-12)

Both Saul and David were anointed as king by the prophet Samuel:

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. (1 Samuel 16:13)

Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him in terms of authority. In fact, a crown was not required (1 Samuel 16:13; 2 Samuel 2:4, etc.).

Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Psalms 109:18; Isaiah 1:6). It was also the custom of the Jews to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of spiritually refreshing themselves or invigorating their bodies (Deuteronomy 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Samuel 14:2; Psalms 104:15, etc.).

The Hellenes had similar customs. This tradition is continued among the Arabs to the present day and may be compared to the custom of many modern people to give themselves various types of oil-based skin treatments. The expression, "anoint the shield" (Isaiah 21:5), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war.

The terms "Messiah" and "Christ" are English and Greek versions of the Hebrew Mashiach, meaning "anointed one," originally referring to the Messiah's position as an anointed Davidic king who would restore the ideal of the Israelite monarchy centered on God's law.

In the New Testament

Christians particularly emphasize the idea of the "anointed one" as referring to the promised Messiah in various biblical verses such as Psalm 2:2 and Daniel 9:25-26. The word Christ, which is now used as though it were a surname, is actually a title derived from the Greek Christos, meaning "anointed," and constituting a Greek version of the his title Jesus "the Messiah."

However, in Christianity, Jesus is understood to be "anointed" not by any physical substance or human agency, such as a priest or prophet, but by virtue of his predestined messiahship. In Luke 4:18 Jesus indicates a prophetic anointing directly by God: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor." Acts 10:38 speaks of how "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

Nevertheless, the Gospels do state that Jesus was physically "anointed" by an anonymous woman who is interpreted by some as Mary Magdalene in Luke 7, and later by Mary of Bethany, shortly prior to his death (John 12:3). Jesus' female disciples are described as intending to anoint Jesus' body after his death when they discovered his empty tomb (Mark 16:1).

The Apostle Paul speaks of God's anointing on himself and his companions Timothy and Silas: "He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Cor. 1:21-22) In the Book of Acts, the imparting of the Holy Spirit to believers came to be associated sometimes with baptism and also with a separate experience of receiving the Holy Spirit through the gift of "tongues." Hebrews 1:9, quoting Psalm 45, speaks of God anointing Christians with the "oil of joy."

The New Testament also records that the disciples applied used oil during exorcisms and healings Mark 6:13. In early Christian churches, sick people were also anointed: "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14-15)

Christian sacramental usage

Chrismatory for ritual oil from Germany, 1636

"Extreme Unction" by Rogier Van der Weyden

Catholic and Orthodox churches incorporate anointing into the sacrament of baptism, as do some Protestant churches.

In Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox usage, anointing is part of the sacrament of anointing of the sick (in Orthodox terminology the mystery of unction). Consecrated oil is also used in confirmation, and holy orders, as well as in exorcisms. Usually olive oil is used, but another vegetable oil may be used. It is blessed by the bishop of the diocese at the Chrism Mass celebrated on Holy Thursday or on a day close to it.

The Orthodox routinely administer unction not only for physical ailments, but for spiritual ills as well, and the faithful may request unction at will. It is normal for everyone to receive unction during Holy Week.

Anointing with oil is used in Pentecostal churches for healing the sick and also for consecration or ordination of pastors and elders.

The word "anointing" is also frequently used by Pentecostal Christians to refer to the power of God or the Spirit of God residing in a Christian.

Christian monarchy

The baptism of Clovis

While the Byzantine emperors from Justinian I onward considered themselves anointed by God, in Christian Europe, the Merovingian monarchy was the first known to anoint the king in a coronation ceremony that was designed to epitomize the Catholic Church's conferring a religious sanction of the monarch's divine right to rule.

The French Kings adopted the fleur-de-lis as a baptismal symbol of purity on the conversion of the Frankish King Clovis I to the Christian religion in 493. To further enhance its mystique, a legend sprang up that a vial of oil descended from Heaven to anoint and sanctify Clovis as king. Charlemagne was famously anointed and crowned by Pope Leo III in 800 C.E.

In the Byzantine Empire, the ecclesiastical rite of anointing the emperor by the patriarch of Constantinople was incorporated in the twelfth century. The anointed kings of France later maintained, as had their Byzantine counterparts previously, that their authority was directly from God, without the mediation of either the Emperor or the pope.

English monarchs also included anointing in their coronation rituals. A record exists indicating that for the coronation of King Charles I in 1626, the holy oil was made of a concoction of orange, jasmine, distilled roses, distilled cinnamon, oil of ben, extract of bensoint, ambergris, musk, and civet.

Since anointing no longer symbolizes the king's subordination to the religious authority, even in Catholic countries, it is not performed by the pope but usually reserved for the (arch)bishop of a major see. Hence the utensils of anointing can be part of the royal regalia.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Austin, Gerard. Anointing with the Spirit: The Rite of Confirmation, (The Use of Oil and Chrism). New York: Pueblo Publication Co., 1985. ISBN 9780916134709
Dudley, Martin, and Geoffrey Rowell. The Oil of Gladness: Anointing in the Christian Tradition. London: SPCK, 1993. ISBN 9780814622452
Empereur, James L. Prophetic Anointing: God's Call to the Sick, the Elderly, and the Dying. Message of the sacraments, 7. Wilmington, Del: Michael Glazier, 1982. ISBN 9780894532801
Enright, Michael J. Iona, Tara, and Soissons: The Origin of the Royal Anointing Ritual. Arbeiten zur Frühmittelalterforschung, 17 Bd. Berlin: De Gruyter, 1985. ISBN 9780899251189
Florenza, Francis S., and John P. Galvin. Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1991. ISBN 9780800624613
Henry, Melanie, and Gina Lynnes. Anointing for Protection. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2002. ISBN 9780883686898

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History of "Anointing"

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+{{Copyedited}}{{Ready}} {{Images OK}}{{submitted}}{{approved}}
+[[Image:V01p611001.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Anointing of an [[Ancient Egypt]]ian king]]
-'''Anointing''' is the lubrication of an item or body body, often the head, with perfumed oil, animal fat, or melted butter, a process employed ritually by many religions and ethnic groups. People and objects are anointed to symbolize the introduction of a sacramental or divine influence, a holy emanation, spirit, or power. Anointing can also be seen as a spiritual mode of ridding persons and things of dangerous influences and diseases, especially of demons.
+'''Anointing''', also called '''Unction''', is the pouring of oil on an item or body part, often the head. Sometimes animal fat or melted butter is used. The process is employed in several [[sacrament]]s of the [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] and [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] Christian churches and is exercised ritually by many other religions and ethnic groups.
-Anointing has historically been used as part of the coronation ceremonies of kings, symbolizing divine blessing upon the monarch. In Hebrew, the term of an "anointed one" is Meshiach, from which the term "Messiah" is derived.
+People and objects are anointed to mark the introduction of a sacramental or divine influence, a holy emanation, spirit, or power. Anointing can also be used as a mode of ridding persons and things of dangerous spiritual influences, such as [[disease]]s and especially [[demon]]s.
-The Greek word for Messiah is "Christ." '''Unction''' is another term for anointing. The anointing oil may be called ''[[chrism]]''.
-The word "to anoint" is known in English since c. 1303, deriving from Old French ''enoint'' "smeared on," itself from Latin ''inunguere''. Originally it only referred to grease or oil smeared on for medicinal purposes; its use in the [[Coverdale Bible]] in reference to Christ (cf. [[Messiah|The Lord's Anointed]].
+In [[Hebrew]], the term of an "anointed one" is ''mashiach'', from which the term "[[Messiah]]" is derived. The [[Greek]] translation of this word gives us the English term "[[Christ]]." Jewish, Egyptian, and other ancient kings were often anointed, and in western history, anointing has been used as part of the royal [[coronation]] ceremonies, symbolizing a divine blessing upon the [[monarch]].
-==Antecedents==
-[[Image:V01p611001.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Anointing in [[Ancient Egypt]], image from the 1901-1906 ''[[Jewish Encyclopedia]]''.]]
-The [[indigenous Australians]] believed that the virtues of one killed could be transferred to survivors if they rubbed themselves with his intestinal-fat. Similarly, the [[Arabs]] of [[East Africa]] anointed themselves with lion's fat in order to gain courage and inspire the animals with awe. Human fat is considered to be a powerful charm all over the world;  after the blood, the fat was peculiarly the vehicle and seat of life. Thus, the fat of a sacrificial victim was smeared on a sacred altar both to homage paid to its deity and in its own consecration.
-According to some beliefs, the qualities of divinity can, by anointing, be transferred into men as well. Among the Jews, as among other peoples, kings were anointed with olive oil in token of God's blessing upon them.
+In Christian tradition, the anointing oil may be called ''[[chrism]]''. Formerly known as [[Extreme Unction]], the Catholic and Orthodox sacrament [[Anointing of the sick]] is not to be confused with the "[[last rights]]," which includes not only unction, but also the sacraments of [[Penance]] and [[Viaticum]], a form of [[Holy Communion]].
-Butter is often used for anointing in the [[Hindu]] religion. A newly built house is smeared with it; so are those believed to be suffering from [[demonic possession]], care being taken to smear the latter downwards from head to foot. Anointments are also part of certain Hindu Monarchies' [[enthronement]] ritual, when blood can also be used.
+==Early history==
+[[Image:Johann Balthasar Probst 002.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Thetis]] anoints [[Achilles]] with [[ambrosia]].]]
+The [[indigenous Australians]] believed that the virtues of a dead person could be transferred to survivors if they rubbed themselves with his or her intestinal-fat. Similarly, the [[Arabs]] of [[East Africa]] anointed themselves with lion's fat in order to gain courage.
+Human fat was considered to be a powerful charm all over the world. The fat was often thought to be the vehicle and seat of life, second only to the blood. This, in addition to the "pleasing odor" produced, resulted in the fat of a sacrificial animal victim being smeared on a sacred altar to honor the deity.
+According to some beliefs, the qualities of divinity can, by anointing, be transferred into men as well. In [[Greek mythology]] the sea nymph [[Thetis]] anointed her mortal child [[Achilles]] with [[ambrosia]] in order to make him immortal. (In a variant of the myth, Thetis dipped him in the waters of the River [[Styx]] but failed to dip the heel by which she held him).
+Among the [[Jews]], as among the Egyptians and other peoples, kings were anointed with [[olive oil]] in token of God's blessing upon them.
+Butter is often used for anointing in the [[Hindu]] religion. A newly built house is smeared with it; so are those believed to be suffering from [[demonic possession]], care being taken to smear the latter downwards from head to foot. Anointments are also part of certain Hindu monarchies' [[enthronement]] rituals, when blood can also be used.
 ==Hebrew Bible==
-Among the [[Hebrews]], the act of anointing was significant in [[consecration]] to a [[holy]] or sacred use: hence the anointing of the high priest ({{bibleverse||Exodus|29:29|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Leviticus|4:3|KJV}}) and of the sacred vessels ({{bibleverse||Exodus|30:26|KJV}}). Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied
-to the sick, and also to wounds ({{bibleverse||Psalms|109:18|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Isaiah|1:6|KJV}}.
-The expression, "anoint the shield" ({{bibleverse||Isaiah|21:5|KJV}}), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war.
+Among the [[Hebrews]], the act of anointing was significant in [[consecration]] of a person or object to a sacred use. In the [[Hebrew Bible]], the high priest and the king are both sometimes called "the anointed" ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|4:3-5|KJV}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|4:16|KJV}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|6:20|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Psalm|132:10|KJV}}). Prophets were also sometimes anointed ({{bibleverse|1|Kings|19:16|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|1|Chronicles|16:22|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Psalm|105:15|KJV}}). Earlier, God identifies himself to [[Jacob]] by reminding him of the sacred pillar that Jacob anointed at [[Bethel]]: "I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me." (Genesis 31:13) In [[Exodus]] 40 and [[Leviticus]] 8, Moses is described as anointing the sacred altar and even the entire [[Tabernacle]] and all its furnishings and utensils with scented oil.
-It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating their bodies ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|28:40|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Ruth|3:3|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|2|Samuel|14:2|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Psalms|104:15|KJV}}, etc.). The [[Hellenes]] had similar customs. This custom is continued among the Arabs to the present day.
+The anointing of the high priest conveyed a particular holiness upon him, which he must be extremely careful not to defile:
-In the [[Hebrew Bible]], the High Priest and the king are each sometimes called "the anointed" ({{bibleverse||Leviticus|4:3-5|KJV}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|4:16|KJV}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Leviticus|6:20|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Psalm|132:10|KJV}}). Prophets were also anointed ({{bibleverse|1|Kings|19:16|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|1|Chronicles|16:22|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Psalm|105:15|KJV}}).
+:He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother, nor leave the sanctuary of his God or desecrate it, because he has been dedicated by the anointing oil of his God. (Leviticus 21: 11-12)
-Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him; in fact, in Israel a crown was not required ({{bibleverse|1|Samuel|16:13|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|2|Samuel|2:4|KJV}}, etc.). Thus [[David]] was anointed as king by the prophet [[Samuel (Bible)|Samuel]]:
+Both [[Saul]] and [[David]] were anointed as king by the prophet [[Samuel (Bible)|Samuel]]:
-:Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.&mdash;{{bibleverse|1|Samuel|16:13|KJV}}.
+:Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon [[David]] from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. ({{bibleverse|1|Samuel|16:13|KJV}})
-==Christian Gospels==
+Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him in terms of authority. In fact, a crown was not required ({{bibleverse|1|Samuel|16:13|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|2|Samuel|2:4|KJV}}, etc.).
-===The Messiah===
-Distinct from the Jewish view, Christians believe the "anointed" one referred to in various biblical verses such as {{bibleverse||Psalm|2:2|KJV}} and {{bibleverse||Daniel|9:25-26|KJV}} is the promised ''[[Messiah]]''. According to the [[Tanakh|Jewish Bible]], whenever someone was anointed with the specific [[holy anointing oil]] formula and ceremony described in {{bibleverse||Exodus|30:22-25|KJV}}, the Spirit of God came upon this person, to qualify him or her for a God-given task. Understanding that Jesus was never anointed in this way, Christians take a poetic reading of ''anointed'', and believe that Jesus was "anointed" with the [[Holy Spirit]] directly.
-According to the [[New Testament]], [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] is this Anointed One, the ''Messiah'' ({{bibleverse||John|1:41|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Acts|9:22|KJV}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|17:2-3|KJV}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|18:5|KJV}}, {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|18:28|KJV}}), and the Gospels state that [[Anointing of Jesus|he was physically "anointed"]] (although not in the fashion described in Exodus) by an anonymous figure who is interpreted by some as [[Mary Magdalene]]. The word [[Christ]] which is now used as though it were a surname is actually a title derived from the Greek ''Christos'' roughly meaning 'anointed' (''creamy'' or ''greased'' would be more [[cognate]] as translations).
+Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied
+to the sick, and also to wounds ({{bibleverse||Psalms|109:18|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Isaiah|1:6|KJV}}). It was also the custom of the Jews to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of spiritually refreshing themselves or invigorating their bodies ({{bibleverse||Deuteronomy|28:40|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Ruth|3:3|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|2|Samuel|14:2|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Psalms|104:15|KJV}}, etc.).
-===Hospitality===
+The [[Hellenes]] had similar customs. This tradition is continued among the [[Arabs]] to the present day and may be compared to the custom of many modern people to give themselves various types of oil-based skin treatments. The expression, "anoint the shield" ({{bibleverse||Isaiah|21:5|KJV}}), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war.
-Anointing was also an act of hospitality, as Jesus was anointed in the house of the Pharisee ({{bibleverse||Luke|7:38-46|KJV}}).
-===Medicinal===
+The terms "[[Messiah]]" and "[[Christ]]" are English and Greek versions of the Hebrew ''Mashiach'', meaning "anointed one," originally referring to the Messiah's position as an anointed Davidic king who would restore the ideal of the [[Israelite]] monarchy centered on [[Torah|God's law]].
-The New Testament records that oil was applied to the sick, and also to wounds {{bibleverse||Mark|6:13|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||James|5:14|KJV}}).
-The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed ({{bibleverse||Mark|14:8|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||Luke|23:56|KJV}}).
+==In the New Testament==
-==Christian monarchy==
+Christians particularly emphasize the idea of the "anointed one" as referring to the promised [[Messiah]] in various biblical verses such as {{bibleverse||Psalm|2:2|KJV}} and {{bibleverse||Daniel|9:25-26|KJV}}. The word [[Christ]], which is now used as though it were a surname, is actually a title derived from the Greek ''Christos'', meaning "anointed," and constituting a Greek version of the his title Jesus "the Messiah."
-In Christian Europe, the [[Merovingian]] monarchy was the first to anoint the king in a coronation ceremony that was designed to epitomize the Catholic Church's conferring a religious sanction of the monarch's divine right to rule. A number of Merovingian, Carolingian, and Ottonian kings and emperors have avoided coronation and anointing.
-English monarchs in common with the French included anointing in the [[coronation]] rituals (''sacre'' in French). The Sovereign of the [[United Kingdom]] is the last anointed monarch. For the coronation of [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] in 1626 the holy oil was made of a concoction of [[Orange (fruit)|orange]], [[jasmine]], distilled roses, distilled [[cinnamon]], oil of [[ben]], extract of [[bensoint]], [[ambergris]], [[musk]], and [[civet]].
+However, in Christianity, Jesus is understood to be "anointed" not by any physical substance or human agency, such as a [[priest]] or [[prophet]], but by virtue of his predestined messiahship. In Luke 4:18 Jesus indicates a prophetic anointing directly by God: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor." Acts 10:38 speaks of how "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the [[Holy Spirit]] and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."
-However, this does not symbolize any subordination to the religious authority, hence it is not usually performed in Catholic monarchies by the pope but usually reserved for the (arch)bishop of a major see (sometimes the site of the whole [[coronation]]) in the nation, as is sometime the very act of crowning. Hence its utensils can be part of the [[regalia]], such as in the French kingdom an [[ampulla]] for the oil and a [[spoon]] to apply it with; in the Norwegian kingdom, an anointing [[horn (anatomy)|horn]] (a form fitting the Biblical as well as the Viking tradition) is the traditional vessel.
+Nevertheless, the Gospels do state that Jesus was physically "anointed" by an anonymous woman who is interpreted by some as [[Mary Magdalene]] in Luke 7, and later by [[Mary of Bethany]], shortly prior to his death (John 12:3). Jesus' female disciples are described as intending to anoint Jesus' body after his death when they discovered his [[empty tomb]] (Mark 16:1).
-The French Kings adopted the [[fleur-de-lis]] as a baptismal symbol of purity on the conversion of the Frankish King [[Clovis I]] to the [[Christian]] religion in 493. To further enhance its mystique, a legend eventually sprang up that a vial of oil (cfr. infra the crowning [[ampulla]]) descended from [[Heaven]] to [[anoint]] and sanctify Clovis as King. The thus "anointed" Kings of France later maintained that their authority was directly from [[God]], without the mediation of either the [[Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor]] or the [[Pope]].
+The [[Apostle Paul]] speaks of God's anointing on himself and his companions [[Timothy]] and [[Silas]]: "He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Cor. 1:21-22) In the [[Book of Acts]], the imparting of the Holy Spirit to believers came to be associated sometimes with baptism and also with a separate experience of receiving the Holy Spirit through the gift of "[[glossolalia|tongues]]." Hebrews 1:9, quoting Psalm 45, speaks of God anointing Christians with the "oil of joy."
-Legends claim that even the lily itself appeared at the baptismal ceremony as a gift of blessing in an apparition of the [[blessed Virgin Mary]].
+The New Testament also records that the disciples applied used oil during [[exorcism]]s and healings {{bibleverse||Mark|6:13|KJV}}. In early Christian churches, sick people were also anointed: "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." ({{bibleverse||James|5:14-15|KJV}})
 ==Christian sacramental usage==
-===Early Christian usage===
+[[Image:Chrismatory.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Chrismatory for ritual oil from Germany, 1636]]
-In early Christian times, sick people were anointed for healing to take place:
+[[Image:Extreme Unction Rogier Van der Weyden.jpg|thumb|"Extreme Unction" by Rogier Van der Weyden]]
-:{{bibleverse||James|5:14-15|KJV}}
+Catholic and Orthodox churches incorporate anointing into the sacrament of [[baptism]], as do some [[Protestant]] churches.
-:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
-:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
-===Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox usage===
+In [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox]] usage, anointing is part of the [[Catholic sacraments|sacrament]] of [[anointing of the sick]] (in Orthodox terminology the ''mystery of unction''). [[Consecration|Consecrated]] oil is also used in [[confirmation (sacrament)|confirmation]], and [[holy orders]], as well as in [[exorcism]]s. Usually [[olive oil]] is used, but another vegetable oil may be used. It is blessed by the bishop of the diocese at the [[Chrism Mass]] celebrated on [[Holy Thursday]] or on a day close to it.
-In [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox]] usage, '''anointing''' is part of the [[Catholic sacraments|sacrament]] of [[Anointing of the Sick]] (or, using the Orthodox terminology, the ''Mystery of Unction''). The Orthodox use Unction not only for physical ailments, but for spiritual ailments as well, and the faithful may re request Unction at will, and it is normal for everyone to receive Unction during [[Holy Week]].
-[[Consecration|Consecrated]] oil is also used in [[confirmation (sacrament)|confirmation]], or, as it is sometimes called (especially in Eastern Orthodox and [[Eastern Rite Catholic]] churches), ''[[Chrismation]]'', from the Greek word ''chrisma'' (χρίσμα), meaning the medium and act of anointing. The Eastern Churches perform the [[sacrament]] of Chrismation immediately after the sacrament of [[Baptism]] during the same ceremony.
+The Orthodox routinely administer unction not only for physical ailments, but for spiritual ills as well, and the faithful may request unction at will. It is normal for everyone to receive unction during [[Holy Week]].
-====Consecration of the Oil in the Orthodox Churches====
+Anointing with oil is used in [[Pentecostal Christianity|Pentecostal]] churches for healing the sick and also for consecration or ordination of pastors and elders.
-Among [[Eastern Orthodox]] Churches, the ''Myron'' (Μύρον, Holy Oil) for Chrismation (and, prior to the twentieth century, for the [[Coronation|Anointing of monarchs]]) is prepared periodically by the Orthodox Patriarchates (such as the [[Patriarchate of Constantinople|Church of Constantinople]]—see an [http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8420.asp announcement and process] for preparation, with some sample dates of preparation) and by the various heads of [[autocephalous]] churches (such as the [[Orthodox Church in America]]—see [http://ocaphoto.oca.org/PhotoViewer.asp?EID=186 photos of the process]).  The Consecration of the oil, when performed, occurs during [[Holy Week]], and thereafter the oil is distributed to the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] Churches within the authority of the administration.  The Myron is made of olive oil and a guarded recipe of aromatics ''(myra)'' that are infused therein.
-At the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the process is under the care of the ''[[Archon|Archontes]] Myrepsoi'', lay officials of the Patriarchate.  Various members of the clergy may also participate in the preparation, but the Consecration itself is always performed by the Patriarch or a bishop deputed by him for that purpose.
+The word "anointing" is also frequently used by Pentecostal Christians to refer to the power of God or the Spirit of God residing in a Christian.
-=== Pentecostal churches ===
+==Christian monarchy==
-As in the early Christian church, anointing with oil is used in [[Pentecostal Christianity|Pentecostal]] churches for healing the sick and also for consecration or ordination of pastors and elders.
+[[Image:Clovis crop.jpg|thumb|The baptism of Clovis]]
+While the Byzantine emperors from [[Justinian I]] onward considered themselves anointed by God, in Christian Europe, the [[Merovingian]] monarchy was the first known to anoint the king in a [[coronation]] ceremony that was designed to epitomize the Catholic Church's conferring a religious sanction of the monarch's divine right to rule.
-The word "anointing" is also frequently used by Pentecostal Christians to refer to the power of God or the Spirit of God residing in a Christian: a usage that occurs from time to time in the Bible (e.g. in {{bibleverse|1|John|2:20|KJV}}). A particularly popular expression is "the anointing that breaks the yoke," which is derived from {{bibleverse||Isaiah|10:27|KJV}}:
+The French Kings adopted the [[fleur-de-lis]] as a baptismal symbol of purity on the conversion of the Frankish King [[Clovis I]] to the [[Christian]] religion in 493. To further enhance its mystique, a legend sprang up that a vial of oil descended from [[Heaven]] to [[anoint]] and sanctify Clovis as king. [[Charlemagne]] was famously anointed and crowned by Pope [[Leo III]] in 800 C.E..
-:''And it shall come to pass on that day, that his burden shall be removed from upon your shoulder, and his yoke from upon your neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of oil.''
-The [[NIV]] translates this passage as, "the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat." The context of this passage refers to the yoke of [[Sennacherib]], and how his oppressive nature is overturned by that of [[Hezekiah]] who was said to be as mild as oil.
+In the [[Byzantine Empire]], the ecclesiastical rite of anointing the emperor by the patriarch of [[Constantinople]] was incorporated in the twelfth century. The anointed kings of France later maintained, as had their Byzantine counterparts previously, that their authority was directly from [[God]], without the mediation of either the [[Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor]] or the [[pope]].
-== Biblical metaphor ==
+English monarchs also included anointing in their [[coronation]] rituals. A record exists indicating that for the coronation of [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]] in 1626, the holy oil was made of a concoction of [[Orange (fruit)|orange]], [[jasmine]], distilled roses, distilled [[cinnamon]], oil of [[ben]], extract of [[bensoint]], [[ambergris]], [[musk]], and [[civet]].
-OBS Anointing is not only used by Pentecostal churches, but by many other denominations to describe the work of the Holy Spirit among believers. In so doing they only recognize the spiritual anointing that the Bible speaks of. ''But you have an anointing from the Holy One'' {{bibleverse|1|John|2:20|KJV}}. ''But the anointing, which you have received from Him abides in you'' {{bibleverse|1|John|2:27|KJV}}.
-==References==
+Since anointing no longer symbolizes the king's subordination to the religious authority, even in Catholic countries, it is not performed by the pope but usually reserved for the (arch)bishop of a major see. Hence the utensils of anointing can be part of the royal [[regalia]].
-*Austin, Gerard. ''Anointing with the Spirit: The Rite of Confirmation: The Use of Oil and Chrism''. New York: Pueblo Publication Co., 1985. ISBN 978-0916134709
-*Florenza, Francis S., and Galvin, John P. ''Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives''. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1991. ISBN 978-0800624613
-*Henry, Melanie, and Lynnes, Gina. ''Anointing for Protection''. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2002. ISBN 978-0883686898
+==See Also==
+*[[Messiah]]
+*[[Coronation]]
+*[[Last rites]]
+==References==
+* Austin, Gerard. ''Anointing with the Spirit: The Rite of Confirmation, (The Use of Oil and Chrism)''. New York: Pueblo Publication Co., 1985. ISBN 9780916134709
+* Dudley, Martin, and Geoffrey Rowell. ''The Oil of Gladness: Anointing in the Christian Tradition''. London: SPCK, 1993. ISBN 9780814622452
+* Empereur, James L. ''Prophetic Anointing: God's Call to the Sick, the Elderly, and the Dying''. Message of the sacraments, 7. Wilmington, Del: Michael Glazier, 1982. ISBN 9780894532801
+* Enright, Michael J. ''Iona, Tara, and Soissons: The Origin of the Royal Anointing Ritual''. Arbeiten zur Frühmittelalterforschung, 17 Bd. Berlin: De Gruyter, 1985. ISBN 9780899251189
+* Florenza, Francis S., and John P. Galvin. ''Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives''. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Press, 1991. ISBN 9780800624613
+* Henry, Melanie, and Gina Lynnes. ''Anointing for Protection''. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2002. ISBN 9780883686898
 [[Category:Philosophy and religion]]
 [[Category:Religion]]
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+[[Category:Christianity]]
+[[category:Judaism]]
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